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Twas the Night cover

December Staff Pick: Twas the Night by Pamela McColl

In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore recited his new poem "The Night Before Christmas" to his family. The following year, a major New York state newspaper printed Moore's poem, and it became a holiday classic.

Cover of America's Great Mountain Trails

Hiking

Inspiration and advice for your trail adventures

Residents of the Washington, DC metro area are very fortunate when it comes to enjoying the outdoors: we have a wide variety of accessible terrain (seaside shoreline, wetlands, forests, mountains) and all four seasons in which to view the changes that come over the landscape. We also have some excellent opportunities to enjoy nature without even leaving the city (or its suburbs) -- Rock Creek Park, the waterfront of both the Anacostia and the Potomac Rivers, Great Falls Park, etc. The books below offer advice and inspiration for those interested in hiking on trails both near and far.

Walking the Foggy Bottom Historic District

Walking the Foggy Bottom District

In partnership with the Foggy Bottom Association, we invite you to take a virtual walking tour featuring the Foggy Bottom Neighborhood's architectural, artistic, and historic highlights, and the stories about the people who lived here. Foggy Bottom Association History Project Co-Chairs Frank Leone and Denise Vogt will serve as co-lecturers. This program will be in-person in the Large Meeting Room at West End Neighborhood Library on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:00-7:30 PM.

Switchboard Soldiers cover

Summer Reads

Making and discovering history, here in DC and abroad. Returning characters have mysteries to solve and new adventures. Below are a selection of titles I enjoyed reading over the summer months. Copies are available to check out and download from the library. Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini

History of Pandemics Lecture, Dr. Charles Pumpuni, PhD of Northern Virginia Community College

History of Pandemics/Outbreak DIY

Dr. Charles Pumpuni, PhD of the Northern VA Community College

As part of the West End Neighborhood Library's Discover Summer promotion in the month of August, Dr. Charles Pumpuni, PhD from Northern Virginia Community College visited the West End Neighborhood Library to present a talk on The History of Pandemics.

Top secret

International Wave at the Surveillance Cameras Day

The Federal Surveillance of African Americans 1920-1984 (Gale)

International Wave at the Surveillance Cameras Day is August 16 and Tako

This Month in History :The battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1 and ended on July 4, 1863. This battle was one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War. It started because Confederate general Robert Lee wanted to invade the north and put a swift end to the Civil War. He wanted to invade Pennsylvania to force a battle with the Union Army. On July 1, 1863, General Lee ordered his troops into the town of Gettysburg to gather supplies and they unexpectedly ran into parts of the Union Army. Both generals directed their forces to Gettysburg.

June is African-American Music Appreciation Month!

Explore with goDigital resources American Song & Freegal app

Created on June 7,1979 by President Jimmy Carter, this month celebrates Black American musicians and musical art forms. Acknowledging that it is a foundational part of American culture. 

The Month in History: The Watergate Sandal

On June 17, 1972, five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Headquarters located in the Watergate Hotel. The burglars were caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents.  It was later revealed that these men worked for the Committee to reelect the president. When the burglary became public, President Richard Nixon denied all involvement.

Jane and the Year without a Summer cover

Spring Mix Staff Picks

Amateur detectives return for new adventures and mysteries to solve and women rule in these novels and non-fiction books. Below are a few I've read and enjoyed. Copies can be checked out and downloaded from the library system. Jane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Barron

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